Temperature-indicator and automatic fire-extinguisher for drying-kilns and the like.



.No. 820,571. PATENTED MAY 15, 1906.

L. HARLOW.

TEMPERATURE INDICATOR AND AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER FOR DRYING KILNSAND THE LIKE.

APIPLIOATION FILED JUNE so, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

/ 3 vwenfo'c No. 820,571. PATENTED MAY 15,1906.

L. HARLOW. I TEMPERATURE INDICATOR AND AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER EoEDRYING KILNS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FIL ED JUNE 30, 1904.

2 SHEBTSSHEET 2 1| nvemor v BnomcE crating UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TEM PERATU RE-INDICATOR AN D AUTOMATIC Specification of Letters Patent.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER FOR DRYING-KILNS AND THE LIKE.

Patented May 15, 1906.

Application filed June 30, 1904. Serial No. 214,748.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAMECH HARLOW, of the city of Vancouver, Province ofBritish Columbia, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in Temperature-Indicators an Automatic Fire-Extinguishers forDrying-Kilns and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to devise a simple and efiectivetemperature-indicator and automatic fire-extinguisher for use indrying-kilns or other places where artificial heat is used for dryingurposes; and it consists, essentially, of a e wire fixed at one end,carried back and forth through the kiln, and weighted at its free end orotherwise maintained taut, alarm mechanism and sprinkler mechanism beingsuitably arranged to be set in operation by the ex ansion of the wireunder the influence of un ue heat, substantially as hereinafter morespecifically described and then definitely claimed.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of .the opparts of my invention. Fi 2is a plan v1ew showing the method of wiring the 'ln and the arrangementof the sprinklers.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, A represents a drying chamber such asused in lumber-drying kilns, laundries, and other places whereartificial heat is used for drying purposes. This chamber is providedwith sprinklers B, fed by means of the distributingpipe 0. .A pipe Dconnects this distributin pipe with the Water-main. (See Fig. 1.) n thlspipe D is located a differential valve E.

The small disk (1 of the valve controls the water-supply through thepipe D, and the larger disk (1 operates 1n a chamber connected by thepipe F with the pipe D between the valve an the main. A valve 0 isprovided in the pipe F, by means of which the assage of the water throuh the pipe may lie controlled. Connecte with the chamber of thedifferential valve is a pipe G, and in this pipe is located a valve H,the stem of which is controlled by the lever I, pivoted on thevalvemounting. The lower end of this lever is engaged with the detent J,pivoted on the pipe G or other suitable stationary part.

It is obvious that by releasing the detent J the valve H would beallowed to open, and thus reduce the pressure in the chamber of thedilferential valve, which 0 ens and permits the flow of water to thesprinkler system.

The closing of the differential valve is of course efiected by closingthe valve H, when the greater operated by hand from any convenientressure on the larger disk (1 will gradually cibse the valve. As thedisks a and d 0 en and close with water-pressure against t eir operativefaces, the opening and closing of the valve is eflected without shock.

To permit of the sprinkler system being art, I provide a pipe K,communicating wit the chamber of the differential valve, referably bybeing connected with the pipe between the valve H and the differentialvalve. A valve e is placed in this pipe at any suitable location, sothat the pressure in the chamber of the differential valve may be ventedat any time desired. The main feature of my invention, however, lies inthe means employed for automatically releasing the detent J and forsounding an alarm, as hereinafter described. For this purpose I employ awire L, preferably of brass or other non-corrodible metal. This wire isfixed at one end and is carried back and forth through the chamber ofthe kiln around sheaves e.

The free end of the wire is brought up around a sheave f (see Figs. 1and 2) up to and over a sheave g and has a weight M secured to its end.On this weight is secured a collar a, vertically adjustable on theweight by means of a set-screw h. This collar is normally above thedetent J and in position to engage it if the weight be lowered.

From the construction described it follows that if the chamber of thekiln becomes unduly heated the wire will expand, thus dropping theweight M and causing the collar n to contact with and release the detentJ. This operates the sprinkler system, as hereinbefore described.

As itis desirable to sound an alarm, I provide the weight M with asecond collar 0, vertically adjustable on the weight by means of aset-screw t. This collaris in position to engage a detent P as theWeight falls. This detent is ivoted on a suitable stationary part,preferably the pipe Q, connected with a suitable source of steam-supply.This ipe contains. a valve R, the stem of whic is controlled by thelever S, pivoted on the mounting of the valve and having its lower endengaged by the detent. Thus when the detent is caused the valve R willbe opened and steam allowed to pass throu h the pipe Q to the whistle1', sounding an a arm as long as the steam-supply lasts.

A distant signal may be given by connectto fall by contact with thecollar 0 IIO log electric wires 7c and Z, respectively, to the letent Pand a suitable insulated contact- .oiece m. These wires will be incircuit with a battery T and an electric bell situated at some stationwhere it is desired that the alarm shall be given.

As the collar 0 is vertically adjustable, it may be set to give an alarmbefore the temperature in the kiln has quite reached the danger-point,so that steps may be taken to reduce the temperature without permittingthe sprinklers to flood the kiln.

In order that the general temperature of the kiln may be ascertained atany time, I provide a scale U, suitably formed on or conpeicted to somestationary part outside the To the wire L, I connect at a suitable pointthe indicator-wire V. This wire is carried over suitable sheaves n 0 andhas a weight 1) secured to its end. This weight keeps a suitable tensionon the indicatorwire, and its point serves as an index to the scale.

From this construction it is apparent that the degree of expansion ofthe wiring in the kiln will be indicated by the point of the weight p,and thus the average temperature of the kiln readily ascertained byconsulting the scale.

I do not desire to limit myself to the exact construction of the detailsset out, as other methods of wiring the kiln and carrying out thedetails of the mechanism might be employed which would still fallwithin-the scope of my invention.

The advanta es of my device are pbvious, as all danger f rom fire willbe eliminated. The system, it will be seen, gives a visible indicationof the temperature of the kiln, gives an automatic warning of anydangerous in: crease in temperature, and in case of the outbreak of firewill instantly flood the kiln from the sprinklers. Further, in case of alocal fire, not sufficiently expanding the wire'to o erate thesprinklers, the valve in the pipe 1% affords an opportunity for thesprmk er system to be put in operation by hand.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In afire-extinguisher, a wire fixedat one end and carried through the area to be protected; a sheave overwhich the wire passes; and a weight secured to the end of the wire, incombination with a s rinkler mechanism; controlling means therefgr,adapted to be operated by the said weight when the latter is tected; asheave over which the wire passes;

a weight secured to the end of the wire; a ver-- ticably-adjustablecontact-piece-carried by the Weight, in combination with a sprinklermechanlsm; controlling means therefor, adapted to be operated by thesaid contactpiece when the latter is lowered by the expan sion of thewire under the influence of undue heat; an indicator-wire connected withthe mam w1re means for tenslonmg the said w1re; an mdex carried by themdlcator-wire and a scale suitab ly supported adjacent to the index,substantially as described.

3. In a fire-extin uisher, a s rinkler system located Within t e area toe protected; a supply-pipe for the sprinkler system; a differentialvalve therem having connected valve-disks of different areas, thesmaller disk controlling the water-supplyand the larger fitting achamber connected behind the disk with the supply-pipe at the inlet sideof the valve; a pipe communicating with said chamber behind the largerdisk; a valve in said pipe; means 0 erated by a rise of temperature inthe kHIl for opening the said valve; a second pipe communicating withthe said chamber behind the disk; and a control ling-valve in said pipe,substantially as descrlbed.

4. In a. fire-extinguishing apparatus, the combination of a dlschargepipe normal] empt of li uid, and provided with a plura ity o sprinler-orifices; a valve controlling the flow through said pipe to all thesprinklerorifices; a wire stretched in proximity to thesprinkler-orifices; and means whereby the expansion of the wire by heatopens said valve and permits the flow of fluid to all thesprinkler-orifices, substantially as described.

Signed at Vancouver, in the Province of BritislPColumbia, Canada, this22d day of June, A. D. 1904.

L. HARLOW.

Witnesses:

A. BRYDoN JACK, EVA S. SHRAPNEL.

